Barlindal v. City of Bonney Lake

The City of Bonney Lake appeals a superior court judgment ordering the return of firearms to George Barlindal. Barlindal cross-appeals the trial court’s finding that the firearms sustained no appreciable damage while being stored by Bonney Lake. Bonney Lake’s civil forfeiture action followed an unsuccessful, unappealed criminal prosecution by Pierce County wherein evidence seized during the execution of an invalid warrant was suppressed. We hold that Bonney Lake was in privity with Pierce County in the criminal action, and that the doctrine of issue preclusion prevents Bonney Lake from…